This was a typical interview process. The initial phone screen involved an online questionnaire, which was convenient. That was followed by a 1-hour technical phone screen, and then a 5-hour in-person interview.

The 5-hour interview included system design, project coding, debugging, and a hiring manager chat.

I marked this review process as negative not because I didn't receive an offer, but because the 5-hour interview felt like a significant waste of time. I found it very difficult to communicate with their engineers. I was very excited to meet a potential new team, but I got the sense none of them wanted to be there interviewing. They spoke very little during the introductions and asked virtually no questions about my background. Ninety-nine percent of the interview was coding, where they simply stared at my screen and said nothing.

In the past, I've found technical interviews to be a collaborative process. You demonstrate your technical ability, and the interviewer provides feedback, input, or questions as you go, allowing both sides to gauge potential team synergy. This felt more like an exam where the interviewer acted merely as a proctor. This sentiment extended to the 1-hour technical screen that preceded it.

The segment with the hiring manager at the end was slightly better. I felt like I was finally having a human conversation and was able to put a face to the company. However, that single conversation was insufficient.

The technical portion wasn't overly difficult, with the exception of the debugging exercise. However, my overall impression was that the panel was not interested in conducting a meaningful interview that day. During one of the sections, the interviewer was barely paying attention to my code and explanation, as I continually heard their email notifications and observed them looking at another monitor and typing.

If communication skills and a positive work culture are important to you, I would advise avoiding this company. I am glad I did not receive an offer, as I would have had to decline a potentially higher salary than my current compensation.

Based on my experience, it seems clear that DoorDash prioritizes technical talent exclusively and does not value company culture or communication skills.

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